Paul Pogo - Reel Therapy

Hi Luke! Good info regarding leader length. I do the same; I buy large spools of fluorocarbon. More economical! I just finished installing a shore power inlet with a dual battery charging system, for that very same purpose of slipping our boat in 2026. Even though I am retired, sometimes I want to take her out on a weekend. Unfortunately, it can be a 45-60 min wait at the ramp, depending on time of morning/day. We are thinking a Slip is definitely the way to go. Paul

Hi Reid, Thanks for the compliment regarding the look of my boat. Regarding Fluorocarbon, I've run Seaguar, Suffix and P-Line, and had no performance issues with any; they have all worked fine for me. My rods are set up with 30# Braid, accompanied by a 30# Fluoro Leader. I haven't experimented with the wire, lead or copper lines. What I got is working for me so will stick with it until a change of heart happens. What (boat) are you running around on the Lake, and what is your fishing set-up? You mentioned leadcore and copper in your previous message. Any steel wire? Do you run dipseys? And what kind of Planer Boards do you run, Inline or Big Boards? Always curios to know how others have their boat's set up as it gives me ideas and I can always learn something new, even though I am getting to be an old dog. Take care & Tight Lines, Paul

Michael, Thanks for your response. Since my original post was about a year ago, the modifications/upgrades are no longer planned, they're installed! Also installed a game-changer, at least for me, a RayMarine AutoPilot. A lot of work last year, so we did not get out as much as desired. Nearly 2 months of boating opportunity were lost account of a faulty AutoPilot hydraulic pump. Quite the challenge losing 80% steering control to Starboard, 2 miles out on the Lake, when the intent was to commission, calibrate and fish with the AP. Fortunately, we managed to limp back into port without a tow. 30 days of those 2 months were spend waiting on the Warranty process to replace the unit. We did finally get out to commission/calibrate the AP on Oct 27th. 90% of the time, it's me plus 1 onboard, a problem when there is a fish on! One person needs to pilot the boat or risk lines, especially tangling planer board lines. The other person needs to play, bring the fish to the boat, & net it, too! A disadvantage to not having a 3rd. The AP eliminates that dependance for need a 3rd person, freeing up the man at the helm. What rig do you run/fish on the Lake (boat type, size, power)? What's your fishing set-up look like? And out of which port do you hail? We are new to owning and looking to make new boating/fishing friends. 2025 will be our second season as boat owners. Although I've been fishing and boating on the Lake since 1979, owning our own boat is completely new and rewarding experience, although it is frustrating at times! I run a 2007 21' Steiger Craft Miami DV, with a 225 hp Honda OB, out of Portage Marina in Burns Harbor, Indiana. I trailer to the Portage Marina launch ramp, but store indoors at Doyne's Marina a quarter mile away. 2024 was the first time my boat was in Freshwater. I bought her in East Maryland from a guy who fished the Chesapeake Bay and hauled her back 750 miles to NW Indiana. This year, I am adding a Fish Hawk system, replacing the seawater washdown pump, installing a shore power inlet along with dual battery chargers, and a sensor for automating my aft bilge pump. The challenge I've given myself is taking a stab at making my own Canvas/Isinglass cabin enclosure. Mine is 18 yrs old and seen better days. I have a heavy-duty sewing machine, and all the materials have arrived, except the thread. For just under $200, I will have 2 sets of new canvas (one solid canvas, one with Isinglass windows). Since I've sewn before, this isn't new to me. Also upgraded my trailer hitch on the truck and the trailer jack. My boat weighs in at 5,400 lbs empty, with the OB motor mounted. My previous hitch was only rated to 5,000 lbs. I figure with a half tank of gas (60 gal), the installed equipment, fishing gear, tools, cooler, drinking water and ice, she's tipping the scale somewhere over 7,000 lbs. This is her only downside, hauling her at 9 miles/gal. Her weight was the only thing I didn't research/consider before purchase! The addition of shore power is a step toward the future, as we are considering Slipping our boat in 2026. Sometimes, you just don't want to wait a half hour or more in the ramp line. Take care, hope to hear back. Paul

I am in the same boat as you, figuratively speaking! When looking to buy a boat, the wife said it had to be "family-friendly," NOT just a fishing boat! Challenge accepted! Read on: My 21' Steiger Craft Miami has a 3-sided cuddy cabin with canvas/isinglass back curtain, which is great in the early Spring and keeps me getting drenched in the rain. I have the boat set up to quickly & easily convert from fishing-friendly to family-friendly, or vice-versa. In her Fishing mode, I run 2 manually operated downriggers on rod holder mounting plates, with 2 rod holders mounted to each downrigger. The second rod holder can be used with Stacker Clips to double my downrigger opportunities, or in the Spring run 2 DR's & 2 surface lines. A trident rod holder on both gunwales holds 3 rods each for lines to the Big Board Planers. 2 quick-release Down-East style rod holders are mounted on each gunwale for dipsey diver rods. My Planer Board mast & motors are located on the cabin roof with a quick release mount. Conversion to Family mode takes less than 10 minutes with someone on the ground to assist, or vice versa. I pull the downriggers, remove the Down-East and the Trident rod holders, then disconnect the Planer Board mast & motors. Now she is family-friendly! Problem solved! My wife is happy, and I am happy, too! Tight Lines!

I bought a Mr. Heat Propane stand alone for around $100 before Christmas, so my wife got me a heater for the boat...... either that or a Cabela's/Bass Pro Gift Card. Actually, I used it more than a couple times working on the boat and trailer. It's stored indoors, but not heated indoor storage. Absolutely thrilled you are interested in fishing together sometime. My friends that fish, I'll be lucky to get any of them to go until some really warm days in April. I'm probably going to trolling solo most of the time, and occasionally with my wife. She's not a fan of the cold, and legally can't fish until April 1, when her 2024 license is valid. She never fished before. But she has watched me fish when we have went camping. Buying a 2023 license would only be worth the price if she fished every day the rest of the month, and that isn't going to happen. So, there is always have room for a fishing buddy. I'll let you know when I get the 2024 shakedown cruise behind me and see where that leads (what else needs replacement or fixing?). After that, anytime you feel the urge, let me know and we'll make it happen. My phone is 219-306-1225. The picture of the planer motors I posted has changed slightly. I reconfigured the motors on the bracket so a quick release mount can be attached. The post was a picture taken immediately after removing it from the box.

You have a minimum of $1000 worth of spoons with 240! That is based on pricing them between $4-$5 each, assuming the spoons are in good condition. New spoons are running around $7-$13, depending on size and brand. And J-plugs, which aren't easy to find new any longer, are worth at least $5 each or offer the lot of 17 for $70-75, depending on their condition and if they are complete with harnesses. The best advice I can offer where you won't get any disagreements with estimates is do your own appraisal of value. Go to E-bay and search each general item (i.e., spoons; lures; etc.). You should find items similar to those you are offering for sale and can get a relative feel for their value. Just trying to help you get the most for what you have to offer.

Sorry, forgot to attach the pics.